Cat flaps let your cat go inside and out at their own pace, without having to let them in or out. They also help stop your cat from urinating in the house.

Installing a cat flap on the door panel made of upvc is a lot easier than glass doors, however it does require some skills and the right tools.

Take a measurement of the door

Installing a cat flap on the door can be a challenge but if you use the correct type of cat flap be patient and follow the steps provided it should not prove to be a problem. We will show you how to mark out the shape, then use the jigsaw to slice the door's area and then complete the job by attaching the flap to the door. This will ensure the flap remains in place and protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.

The first step is determine the width of your pet to get an accurate measurement of what size of cat flap you'll require. This will allow you to choose a cat flap that is big enough for your pet to go into the home and exit without having to open the door each time.

Once you have the measurements you can determine where on the door the template should be positioned, typically this is done using an X, however some kits come with a drawing that shows where to drill, if yours does, then you can stick it to the door and use a pencil to draw around the door. If your door has moulding or a sill at the bottom, make sure that you leave enough space between your cat and these elements.

Put on your eye protection as well as a dust mask. Then using a jigsaw start cutting along the line that you've drawn in, but don't push the blade too hard because this could make it cut faster than you'd like it to. If you own a square that you have cut, use it to ensure whether you're cutting in the right way and to make sure the hole is a good rectangular shape. Once you are happy with this you can begin to take off the rest of the door material.

Draw a Line

The cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to go in and out without worrying about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the home. It also stops draughts and helps to keep the temperature of your home in a stable manner. However, putting a cat flap in your door can seem like an overwhelming task for those who haven't done it before. This can lead many people to seek out a professional joiner or carpenter to do the job. It is an option, but you can do it yourself, provided the tools are appropriate and the steps are followed.

This is much simpler to accomplish on doors made of wood, however it is still possible using uPVC. However, you must be careful not to scratch the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. First, you need to take measurements of the door to ensure it will accommodate the new cat-flap. If you have a standard uPVC panel, this should be easy. However in the case of composite or another type of door, you might need to be more careful.

The next step is to determine the height of your belly for your cat. This is the height between the floor and the underside of your cat's stomach. You'll need to locate a space at the entrance that allows your cat to move through easily. Once you've got the information you'll be required to mark the space with a spirit-level and a pencil so you are sure that the hole will fit your cat.

After you've marked the area, it's time to cut the hole. It is essential to take your time and use a jigsaw to ensure the cuts are smooth and clean not uneven and rough. This could cause damage to your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask while working with the Jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. After you've finished the cutting process, you will have to smooth the edges of the hole with sandpaper, so that your cat flap can be fitted easily in place.

Cut a hole

Getting a cat flap fitted into an existing door panel or double glazing sealed unit can be difficult. If you are not very experienced in DIY, it's best to hire a professional to complete the job for you. A mistake in the process may not only be unsightly but it could also be an enigma for security as well as allowing cold air to get in when the cat is outside and hot air to escape when inside.

The first thing to do is mark out the position of the hole in the door with a pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is positioned and that it runs parallel to the other components of the door. Make sure you have some sandpaper to smooth any rough edges.

After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole using a jigsaw. Be sure to wear any necessary safety equipment when working with a power tool. If you're worried about noise, you can buy a jigsaw with a cord that is quieter and easier.

It is essential to only cut away the material required for the fitment of the cat flap. It is essential to leave some extra material to cover the wall of the flap. However cutting off too much material can cause problems or even damage the door frame.

A upvc door may have a metal frame or panel which could block the microchip cat flap and if this is the case, you will need to cut an oversize hole so that the metal does not come into contact with the wall of the cat flap, if this is done, it is important to fill in the gap and render it watertight.

If you're planning to install a cat flap into a upvc door or double glazed window with a metal frame, you will need to speak to a professional who can provide you with a brand new pane of glass that already has the hole for the cat flap inside. This is less expensive than trying to fit the flap into an existing pane that was not designed for this purpose.

Place the Flap

Cat flaps give your pet the freedom to go and come whenever they want and allow them to be comfortable at home whenever they'd like. However, if you have an uPVC door, it may be difficult to install an animal flap, especially when you don't have a glass pane that can be cut for one. If you're willing to buy and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel, it's possible to add the cat flap to these doors. It's not just a matter of cutting holes in the door. You'll also have to take a few steps to ensure that the door is safe.

A composite door panel usually has a flimsy plastic outer skin that is bonded to a soft, insulating polystyrene core. It is important to be careful when cutting the material. This kind door has a template can be used to cut the hole.

Once you've marked the opening in your front door, it's time to put in the fitting cat flap in upvc door panel flap. You can pick from a range of models, ranging from simple push-button models to microchip activated ones that allow your pet in. However, no matter what type of cat flap you select, it is essential to ensure that your cat flap in bifold doors can use the flap and not get stuck outside in the rain.

It is a good idea to choose a circular fitting cat flap in Upvc door panel rather than a square one, as circles are more securely cut into door glass. It's because square holes are more likely to break the glass when they are drilled. It's also a much safer option to use as you're not at risk of drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is particularly important if you have child or elderly person at home who could be injured by shards of glass.